USA > South Dakota > Who's who in South Dakota, Vol. I > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
Gc 978.3 C83w v. 1 1913 1356425
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
=
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01066 6904
5-4-6L
Copyrighted 1913 by O. W. Coursey
WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA
By O. W. COURSEY
AUTHOR OF "Simplified School Laws" "Woman With a Stone Heart" "History and Geography of the Philippine Islands" Etc., Etc., Etc.
Vol. I First Edition
Published by the EDUCATOR SCHOOL SUPPLY CO. Mitchell, South Dakota
DEDICATED To The Good People of Our Fair Young State. May she never cease to prosper! -0. W. Coursey.
INTRODUCTION
Most of the "Who's Who" articles contained in this book were formerly published in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, "Daily Argus-Leader." However, eight of them were first published by "The Sioux Falls Daily Press;" and the rest of them were orig- inally published in various papers scattered throughout the entire state. Two of them were written by Charles M. Day, editor of the "Daily Argus-Leader." These two bear his signature.
The editorial announcement of the intended publication of the first series which appeared in 1910, was made by the "Argus- Leader" as follows:
1356425
The Argus-Leader has started the publication of a series of biographic articles by Major O. W. Coursey, one of the "live wires" of the state, on "Who's Who in South Dakota." The first article had for its subject, Professor C. G. Lawrence of Can- ton, and the second one deals with former Senator A. B. Kit- tredge of this city. The other articles will follow from time to time and will, we believe, make a most interesting series for the consideration of the Argus-Leader's increasing army of readers in South Dakota.
In the presentation of these articles Major Coursey is given an absolutely free hand. The line is drawn on no one, and fac- tional and party distinctions are going to be forgotten in the pre- sentation of this series of articles about the men who "cut ice" in this state. Major Coursey will select the list of subjects, will secure the data and will write the matter, and it will be pub- lished exactly as it comes from his pen, without being "treated" in any way by editorial prejudice or favoritism. Keep your eye upon the "Who's Who" articles which are likely to prove as in- teresting as the series of articles on "The Birds of South Da- kota," by Charles E. Holmes, published some time ago in these columns.
The newspaper comments given herein are but two out of several hundred collected, yet these show the reception given the articles as they appeared, by newspapers throughout the state.
Parker New Era: Those pen-portraits by Major O. W. Cour- sey, on "Who's Who in South Dakota," running in the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, are attracting wide notice and very favor- able comment. The pen-portraiture of former Senator Kittredge, Congressman Burke and Senator Crawford have already appeared. We will watch the Argus-Leader for further pen-portraits of the large galaxy of South Dakota's illustrious sons.
Vermillion Republican: "Who's Who in South Dakota," is being made known from time to time by O. W. Coursey, the well- known literateur, in the Daily Argus-Leader. He has already listed in his repertoire such celebrites as Senator Kittredge and State Superintendent-elect Lawrence, and will include others equally notable in due season. Coursey's contributions always are readable when reduced to print.
These playful sketches were first written for mere pastime while I was sitting around depots waiting for delayed trains and while riding along on the cars. They were struck off in rough lead-pencil form, and not a single one of them was ever re-written, in whole or in part, before being sent to press. They have, therefore, been reproduced in the same crude form in which they originally appeared, with but very few minor alterations.
It will at once become evident to any person who may read one or more of them that they were written exclusively for news- paper use; hence, the unusual amount of freedom in both thought and style. To convert them now into a stiff, labored style, for book purposes, would be to rob them of much of their cheerful- ness and reality. They are merely off-hand literary sketches of various persons' lives, written in an "impromptu" manner, just as though one had spoken them without previous meditation. The same playful spirit was breathed into them that a cartoonist would impart to a caricature sketch of some popular person, dur- ing one of his chalk-talks. Any "re-touching" which might now be given to them could but detract from their original charm, if any they possessed.
With regard to literary technicalities, it will be noticed that at some places "South Dakota" is spelled out in full; at others it is given its commercial abbreviation, "S. D.," while at others it appears in its correct abbreviated form "S. Dak." So also with the names of other states. In most of the articles the author refers to himself, when necessary, as "we," in true editorial style, while in others he uses "I." This change was sometimes necessitated by the very nature of the articles themselves; at oth- ers, it resulted from a temporary attack of "lapsus memorae," or from habit. Although these apparent literary discrepancies, and some others not herein mentioned, may prove sweet morsels under the tongues of occasional would-be literary critics, it has been determined to let them practically remain as they originally were.
Gathering the information was somewhat tedious, as may well be imagined; but the preparation of the articles themselves, was decidedly a "labor of love."
It is greatly regretted (more than mere words can herein ex- press) that many other equally deserving South Dakotans could not have been incorporated in this work; but time and space forbade. However, another volume will appear later, in which only new names will be found.
-By The Author.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Notice of Copyright
Title Page
Dedication
Introduction
Table of Contents
A. B. Kittredge
C. N. Herreid
C. G. Lawrence
27
Coe I. Crawford
35 39
O. L. Branson
C. H. Burke
E. W. Martin
G. H. Grace
R. J. Gamble
E. C. Perisho
R. O. Richard:
G. G. Wenzlaff
Doane Robinso
G. W. Nash -
C. W. Downey
106
F. L. Cook
110
J. F. Halladay
114
Clate Tinan
117 121
W. C. Cook
124
H. K. Warren
135
Samuel Weir
140 145
C. M. Day
152
F. E. Walker
157
Tom Burns
161
S. H. Elrod
164 171
E. T. Pierce
176
The Beaumonts
189
W. E. Johnson
193
F. B. Gault
196 200
G. A. Silsby
205 210
W. M. Mair
215
W: S. Bowen
219 223
R. S. Gleason
230
S. F. Kerfoot
.233
W. II. H. Beadle
238
L. E. Camfied
249
James Elliott
254
E. E. Wagner
261
Isaac Lincoln
-
270
-
45 51 59 64 71 77 81 88 94 100
R. S. Vessey
5 8 9 14 22
2
4
Dick Woods
245
J. W. Taylor
182
T. J. Spangler
A. C. Shepherd
C. H. French
Asher F. Pay
130
E. L. Abel
S. J. Conklin
C. H. Lugg
Myrtle E. Lee (Sofia Stephali)
9
A. B. KITTREDGE
A CAESAREAN SENATOR
"The president," said Senator Kittredge-and nothing more -as he introduced President Roosevelt, a few years since to a large out-door audience that had gathered in Sioux Falls to hear him speak. This is the shortest public speech introductory, or otherwise, on record. It reminds one of that dainty scriptural passage, the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept." Incident- ally, it also suggests the speech made recently by Lieutenant Governor Horace White, of New York state, while introducing Colonel Roosevelt to an up-state audience. He said, "We are here today to welcome and to honor Theodore Roosevelt." With- out adding another syllable, he sat down. "Do I speak now ?" interrogated the Colonel. This style of speaking is characteristic of "Kit." He is the briefest man on earth. To him words are jeweled instruments for the conveyance of thought, and he uses them sparingly. "A" is an indefinite article, "the" is a definite one. Many a man has been "a" president, but just at that psy - chological moment Mr. Roosevelt was "the" president. How apt! How significant! Just so in trying a lawsuit, the Senator has little to say ; yet we doubt if any man in the state has won so large a percentage of the cases he has tried.
Kittredge's ascendency to the United States senate, as an ap- pointee of Governor Herreid, soon won for him recognition as a man of great brain power and a tireless worker. His early ap- pointment to a position on the judiciary committee bore prima facie evidence that he was at once regarded at Washington as an able constitutional lawyer. Likewise, his immediate selection for a place on the Committee on Inter-Oceanic Canals, awakened to him the opportunity of a life-time.
Quietly -meditatingly-manfully - Mr. Kittredge went to work, and the pulse of South Dakota was soon throbbing with the recognition which her junior senator was receiving at our na- tional capitol. Old soldiers got their pensions increased, public
10
WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA
buildings were springing up here and there; new political life was in evidence.
But it was not until the senate called for the brief on the purchase of the Panama canal from the French company that Senator Kittredge's great legal ability excited public comment. Here was a young lawyer-a senator, if you please-from the "wild and woolly" west. The senate has in it some mighty clever legal talent. When the "bachelor senator" from South Dakota arose to make his report, all ears were at eager attention. It was an herculean proposition to draw up a brief on such a technical, complicated, international proposition. Not a word was struck out, not a syllable added. It was perfect; and it will be referred to as authority by coming generations when Senator Kittredge has embarked for another world -lo! these hundred years.
But Mr. Kittredge performed another public act while sen- ator that will bless mankind forever. He introduced and secured the passage of a new copyright law which gives authors, artists and musicians ample protection for the products of their efforts. Two South Dakotans were among the very first to take advantage of the new law when it went into effect, July 1, 1909.
Largely on account of his silent nature, Senator Kittredge has never been properly understood, except by his nearest asso- ciates. He is a man of great poise. He can stand more fire without flinching during a political battle than any man in the state. During that eventful, personal campaign of 1908, while Mr. Kittredge was addressing an audience in Lincoln county, he was violently interrupted by State Treasurer Cassill who sat in the audience, and whose official record Mr. Kittredge was fear- lessly exposing. Calm, cool headed, collected, he retained his poise and in a sober, dignified manner, characteristic of his great personality, the speaker, without stopping to "swear" his wit- ness, cross-examined Mr. Cassill so closely about his own record, in the presence of his neighbors and his friends, that the latter lost his renomination and had to leave the state.
During his official life Senator Kittredge was openly accused of being a "corporation hireling," etc. A few months ago he tried a personal damage suit at Flandreau, against the Milwaukee railroad company, and he won his case, securing a verdict of $22,000 damages in favor of two orphan children whose parents were killed by a train. After the trial, an old Norwegian far- mer came up to him and said, "Why Mr. Kittredge, Ay always heard that you bane for the railroad company and against the people. Ay voted against you the last time, but Ay bet your life Ay bane going to vote for you next time."
11
A. B. KITTREDGE
BIOGRAPHICAL
Senator Kittredge is dis- tinctly a self-made man. To begin with he was only a poor farmer's son down in Cheshire county, New Hampshire, where he came into being just one week to the day before Abe Lincoln was first inaug- urated president of the United States. His early education was acquired in the rural schools of his native state. A private tutor prepared him for Yale which he entered in June 1878, graduating from the academic department with the class of '85.
Young Kittredge was twenty-four years of age when he had finished his education. Tired of the wind-swept "copjes" of old New England and being thrilled with the inspiration of "Young man, A. B. KITTREDGE go west, and grow up with the country," he at once struck for South Dakota. At that time the territory had not been divided. It was a vast empire carved from what was geographically known in the old geographies as "The Great American desert."
Settling in Sioux Falls he stuck out his shingle
A. B. KITTREDGE Attorney at Law.
Long years ago he pulled down this sign, -his whereabouts were known; his record as an attorney had been made.
From this time on we see him climbing the political ladder. Politics were his natural choice; he couldn't keep out. When the doctor vaccinated him against the small pox he must have injected into him some political virus, for it is in his blood.
12
WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA
Possessed of all the sturdy instincts of a natural born leader, he soon forged his way to the front.
In 1888 he was made chairman of the Minnehaha county re- publican committee. Later he was state senator from that county during the first two terms of our state legislature, after the division of Dakota.
His ability conimanded attention and respect. From 1892 to 1900 he was national committeeman It has often been said that "He made Herreid governor." He did! But Herreid made him a senator and cancelled the obligation When Senator Kyle, a democrat of life- long training, but a compromise, semi-republican legislative senatorial creation. suddenly died at Washingon in 1901, there was a great scramble among politicians for an ap- pointment to the vacancy. Herreid was unyielding. He simply said, "I'll give the appointment to the man who has done more for me politically than all others, A B. Kittredge."
The appointment was made; the com mission was written out, and all was over --. for the time being. At the hands of the state legislature, in 1903, Mr. Kittredge was given the united and complete support of the republican party and unanimously elected by them to succeed himself in the senate for six years longer. Thus Governor Herreid's selection of him for the appointment in 1901 was vindicated by the republican party in 1903, and the pic- ciyunish, idle criticism of the governor's selection melted away.
A MODERN CAESAR
When dissension arose in Rome and Cassius plotted the downfall of Caesar, the latter's friends came to him and said, "Dont' go back to the senate chamber, you will be assassinated." Caesar calmly replied, "I'll go where duty calls me." He went, and in a short space of time, pierced with a score of wounds, he fell at the feet of the statue of his old rival, Pompeii. At the holiday recess of congress in 1907, Senator Kittredge was urged by his friends not to return to the senate, or he would be assas- sinated (politically ) He replied. as did Caesar, "I'll go where duty calls me." He went-and then came back -too late-only to go down to defeat at the hands of his old political enemies.
To those of his constituents who backed hin so faithfully in the fight, the tragedy of his defeat seemed appalling. Caesar and Brutus had been great military friends at one time; yet Brutus joined Cassius in Caesar's downfall. Accepting his fate phil- osophically, the great ruler of Rome, as he sank before the final thrust of a dagger, calmly looked up at his old friend and mut- tered those memorable words, "You too, Brutus." Kittredge
13
A. B. KITTREDGE
and-had at one time been great political friends. As Kit- tredge saw the primary election returns coming in and felt the danger of defeat penetrating his heart, he calmly mattered, "You ton,- and then quietly returned to his lucrative law prac- tice. Thus closed the most vicious, personal political fight that has ever occurred in South Dakota. Every man connected with it had his character assassinated. Yet, after all, its dire effects are rapidly passing away, and
"Time, sweet restorer, a victory gaineth,
In hearts where the vials of wrath were outpoured."
A new day has dawned upon us. New "bed-fellows" are being made in politics. The "old guard" that went down to de- feat with Kittredge when he met his "Waterloo" at the hands of Crawford, who, acting in the capacity of Lord Wellesly, mar- shalled all of the opposing forces against him, will never stand together in another fierce fight as before. The conservative field held by Kittredge and the advanced position assumed by Mr. Crawford will both be vacated and midway-somewhere close to the ground taken by the state republican platform this year, - under new leaders, the diminishing remnant of the "old guard" and a workable portion of the less radical element of the opposing forces, will come together and fight for political preference, along new lines, and for the common good of the state.
Regardless of what the future may bring forth, Senator Kittredge will remain a great character in the history of the state, and be revered and admired by his many friends whom he never betrayed. May we never cease to love him!
[Later. - Senator Kittredge was suddenly taken ill, and died at Hot Springs, Arkansas, May 4, 1911.
At this time funds are being voluntarily contributed by his friends to erect a marble bust of him in our new State Capitol. - O. W. C. I
14
WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA
A MANLY MAN
One of America's most gifted orators, Col. Robert Ingersoll, standing beside the bier of his dead brother, delivering a funeral oration over the deceased, said, "There never was a manlier man." These inspiring words could never have had a more per - fect application than to be applied to Charles N. Herreid ex- governor of South Dakota. How passionately fond we all are of him, not merely for the unexcelled record which he made as gov- ernor, but for his manly virtues.
GOVERNOR HERREID
As governor of the state, Mr. Herreid made an enviable rec- ord. Undoubtedly his greatest service to the state was in the unusually large number of legislative enactments which he vetoed. True; the legislators who served during this time were equally intelligent with those that have served under other governors; but many of them, as will always be the case, had never been trained in the interpretation of law.
During Governor Her- reid's predecessor's adminis- tration, that of Governor Lee. the Initiative and Referendum had been enacted. Nobody paid much attention to them during Governor Herreid's two terms. Why? Well, simply because everybody was con- tented; and, above all, they had confidence in Herreid. He scrutinized every act of his two legislatures with the eye of an eagle Every law en- acted, that conflicted with the constitution, virtually re- pealed some other law, or within itself bore obnoxious features, was promptly vetoed by the Governor. He didn't wait for the referendum nor
CHARLES N. HERREID
15
CHARLES N. HERREID
for the supreme court. He was a court unto himself. Let it be said for Governor Herreid that he vetoed more bills than all of the other governors of the state put together.
On the other hand this may be accounted for from another standpoint. In his three messages to the legislature he recom- mended far more legislation than any other governor. His last message, delivered as he turned the reins over to Governor Elrod, is the finest state document on record. It will remain for the future historian to bring out and properly classify this able state paper.
HERREID, THE PATRIOT
More or less trouble has arisen during the several adminis- trations of our various governors since statehood, with the state appointees. Governors Sheldon and Lee each one asked the state legislature to enact a law authorizing the governor to remove any one or all of his own appointees at will, but they refused. Charles N. Herreid renewed this recommendation; it was done. The wisdom of it became apparent more quickly than its legislators anticipated. President Mckinley was assassinated shortly there- after. A notary public at Sturgis, -an appointee of Governor Herreid's-upon hearing the sad news of the president's assas- sination, exclaimed, "It served him right!" No sooner had the news of the fellow's reprehensible conduct reached Governor Herreid, than he issued an executive order revoking the fellow's commission and removed him from office; at the same time no- tifying him by wire of what he had done, in advance of the mails. This one instance justified the enactment of the law.
FRIEND OF EDUCATION
Just before the legislature of 1901 adjourned, the commitee on education, thought to slip one over on the governor and get through a sweeping change in our educational laws, that would make our school children assets to local politicians; but, O! no, not while the scrutinizing Herreid was governor. Here is what the records in the Secretary of State's office reveal :
"Having received said bill and having only a few moments in which to return it to the House of Representatives, in which it originated. before its adjornment, sine die, I can only very briefly mention a few of the many serious objections to the bill. This bill provides that the State educational institutions 'may re- ceive, free of tuition, ten students appointed by each State Sen- ator and ten students appointed by each Representative of the State Legislature,'* * * 'not more than three of whom shall be students of the same institution.'
i
16
WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA
"Our educational institutions are supported by the people and for the people of our state. That tuition should either be free to all or all should pay tuition equally. This bill discrim- inates and the discrimination will almost invariably be against those who are poor and without friends of prominence and influ- ence; in other words, against those who are specially entitled to sympathy and assistance. Why should those only having a polit- cal 'pull' receive free education at the expense of the state? Why should the young men and women of our state, who seek an edu- cation at our institutions, become the political trading stock of politicians?"
"The iniquity of this bill is indeed complete. Those who desire to pay must be excluded for those receiving free tuition ! A senior who has paid his tuition may be forced to leave to make room for some one on the 'free list' and graduate from some in- stitution in another state where the Legislative 'pass' system does not exist.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES N. HERREID,
Governor.
Pierre, March 8, 1901."
Again in order to show the extremely careful analysis which he gave to all bills coming up to him for his signature, we have only to cite the following :
"To the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
"I am unable to approve House Bill No. 90, which is here- with returned to the House of Representatives, although the rec- ord does not show a vote against said bill in either branch of the Legislature."
Think of it! Every vote in both branches of the legislature cast in favor of a bill concerning taxation, etc., and not one of them saw a flaw in it. Back it goes to the House, vetoed, with a 1,000-word opinion from Governor Herreid attached to it- shooting it so full of holes that it looked like an old fish net which had been caught in the snags at the bottom of some limpid stream, and then torn to shreds in trying to pull it out, so as to save the floaters. Here is an exposure of only one of its 'dodgers' :
"This bill aims to give peculiar meaning to certain letters and characters but specifically states that it shall apply only to tax proceedings.
The concluding portion of said bill reads as follows:
Whenever the abbreviation "do" or the character ",," or other similar abbreviations or characters shall be used in any such
17
CHARLES N. HERREID
proceedings, they shall be respectively construed and held as meaning and being the same name, word, initial, or letter or letters, abbreviations, figure or figures as the last proceeding such "do" or ",," or other similar character.
"Here again we have a remarkable perversion of well-known marks and abbreviations. 'Do.' is an abbreviation for 'ditto,' but 'do' is a syllable attached to the first tone of the major dia- tonic scale for the purpose of solmization, or solfeggio,' and the marks ",,"', doubtless intended for 'turned commas' are, as found in this remarkable bill, the last half of quotation marks!"
PARDONS
In his inaugural address to the Seventh Biennial Legislature, in 1901, touching upon 'The Pardoning Power" of the executive, Governor Herreid said:
"The pardoning power is a consequence of 'the imperfection of law and human nature.' A person may be convicted of a crime on false testimony. After sentence by the Court, the false- hood may be discovered, but the Court cannot reverse its decree. Reprieves may become necessary or expedient on account of doubt of guilt, arising from the discovery of new testimony after sen- tence and before execution, or considerations of public policy may demand an exemption from punishment. The pardoning power exists, and was conferred by the constitution upon the Governor, not for exercising his tenderness of heart but to fur- ther the ends of justice. Of late years there has been an in- creasing tendency towards executive clemency, resulting in gross abuse of this important prerogative. A convict with numerous friends and abundant means promptly begins preparations for se- curing a pardon after he has had a fair trial, and his gulit has been legally established. The Governor's office becomes an ap- pellate court, where the case is re-tried, largely in the nature of an ex parte proceeding. The victim may be slumbering in a for- gotten grave Human sympathy is apt to be with the living rather than the dead. Or the injured party is persuaned to join the forces appealing for sympathy, ignoring the no less sacred rights of society.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.